New aircraft, retrofits among ways to reduce jet din at O’Hare, United says
United Airlines officials discussed buying 700 new jets and flying electric planes for short trips at a O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission meeting Friday.
The update focused on specific ways the carrier is trying to reduce noise for city and suburban residents living near O’Hare International Airport.
“We are planning on growing quite a bit in the next decade,” United Next Senior Manager Spencer Daley said.
The airline has ordered 700 Airbus and Boeing planes through 2032. That includes about 200 wide-body planes.
“Instead of flying many of our 50- to 70-seaters ... we’re able to fly 150- to 200-seaters on the same routes,” Daley said.
The shift allows United to reduce departures but still fly the same number of people. The acquisitions include Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which are quieter than the aircraft they’re replacing.
About 85 new planes were delivered last year with 100 anticipated in 2024.
The upgrade includes new interiors with more storage space for carry-ons.
United pilot Ron Renk told commissioners one relatively simple fix for jet noise has been retrofitting planes with “a tiny piece of metal” called a vortex generator.
The device disrupts what’s been described as a loud whistling sound produced by airflow over the fuel tanks.
A more futuristic plan is the arrival of electric airplanes, which produce no emissions and make less noise than conventional jets, Renk said.
The goal would be to use small battery-operated jets for short flights and regional taxis.